Miner sent to pre-trial detention center in Odesa region for illegal mining

Illegal limestone mining in Odesa region has turned into an organized scheme using Soviet-era mining infrastructure. The court has already imposed a pre-trial restraint on one of the participants in the scheme, and the environmental damage has exceeded one million hryvnias.

This is evidenced by the decision of the Kyiv District Court of Odesa.

Law enforcement officers exposed a scheme of illegal extraction of minerals of national importance - limestone stones. According to the pre-trial investigation, the director of Horachivka Mine LLC together with the company's employees were involved in organizing the scheme.

The investigation found that the director of the company was aware of the clearly defined boundaries of the special permit for the use of subsoil No. 247, issued in 1995 and extended until 2035. He was also aware of the obligation to comply with all procedures: developing project documentation, conducting geological surveying and carrying out production exclusively within the designated territory.

However, instead of carrying out legitimate activities, according to the investigation, the manager conspired with the site manager, miners, and other employees. Together, they organized illegal limestone mining outside the licensed area.

For this purpose, they used the existing infrastructure of the enterprise, in particular, underground mine workings that remained from the time of commercial development of the Halotske deposit. The work was carried out in old adits and underground labyrinths, where stone-cutting machines, rail systems for trolleys and other equipment were placed.

Access to the illegal mining site was provided through a specially equipped entrance outside the village of Horyachivka. A metal gate was installed on the surface, and the area was equipped with a gantry crane for loading finished products. An administrative building was located nearby to support the activities of this illegal site.

The investigator noted that the organizers of the scheme deliberately avoided developing new official mine entrances and moving equipment, as this required significant costs. Instead, they set up mining in limestone deposits, disguising illegal activities as legal.

Between December 2025 and March 2026, the scheme participants illegally extracted about 12,000 units of sawn limestone, which meets construction standards and is actively used in construction.

According to experts, the total amount of damage caused to the environment is UAH 1,273,674.

As part of the case, one of the participants was served a notice of suspicion. The investigator asked to set bail in the amount of UAH 1,031,680. The court partially granted the request and imposed a pre-trial restraint in the form of detention until May 21, 2026. At the same time, the judge determined the possibility of posting bail in the amount of UAH 266,240, after which the suspect may be released from custody.

The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement officers are identifying the full range of people involved in the illegal extraction and sale of minerals.

Last year, investigators detained a group of men in Odesa district who were illegally mining shell rock without the necessary permits.

Анна Бальчінос